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Particle Accelerator Machine Physicist

Employer
Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN)
Location
Mol, Belgium
Salary
Unspecified
Posting live until
17 Dec 2021

Job Details

  • Mol, Belgium
  • Be part of an international team creating a first of a kind proton accelerator
  • work on beam dynamics and beam optics
  • accelerator experience is a strong asset
  • masters/PhD in Physics

We are ready to build this accelerator. Are you?

Together with a large team of ambitious engineers and researchers, SCK CEN wants to develop new medical radioisotopes to treat cancer patients and solve the nuclear waste issue by means of the MYRRHA project. The MYRRHA project’s first phase (start of commissioning scheduled for 2026) consists of a proton accelerator with one of a kind reliability and two target facilities with which research can be performed into radioisotopes, radioactive ion beam physics and nuclear fusion reactor materials. The subsequent phases extend the accelerator to drive a sub-critical reactor intended to proof the concept of nuclear waste transmutation (start of commissioning scheduled for 2040). To help us achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for a Particle Accelerator Machine Physicist who will:

  • work on beam optics/dynamics topics of the 100 MeV superconducting linac and beam transfer lines
  • contribute to the definition of the machine operational concept
  • develop a simulations framework for efficient studying of the required fault tolerance
  • define the commissioning and operation tools to be implemented by the control team
  • participate in the beam commissioning in 2026

To join this frontier, you'll need

  • masters or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering or equivalent
  • experience in performing simulations studies and translating the results into design requirements
  • experience in performing accelerator machine physics studies is a strong asset
  • experience in commissioning and operating a particle accelerator is a strong asset

about SCK CEN
SCK CEN is a Belgian Nuclear Research Centre that has developed an extensive expertise in various areas of nuclear science and technology, of which it has received international recognition.  Over the last 65 years, our dedication continually results in developing innovative nuclear applications covering safety, health, environment, society, materials and technology.  
We unite engineers, scientists and technicians from many different countries all over the world, collaborating with numerous different partners inside and outside Belgium, committed to the core values of mutual respect, independent of gender, race, religion, creed, education, ideology, lifestyle or beliefs.
With an ambitious and winning philosophy in mind we are an accountable team who never compromises on safety and quality. Caring for employee health and well-being is central to SCK CEN’s culture, demonstrated through its commitment to employee wellness by offering an excellent work-life balance, working hour flexibility, hospitalization insurance, an own restaurant, international school only 5 km from work, welfare tips and tricks and the NUCLEA club nearby with more than 20 different sporting and cultural activities. In addition we offer a permanent contract  in Mol, Belgium (60 km from Antwerp, 80 km from Brussels) and a market conform salary.

Deadline

Contact

Tomas Sergooris

tomas.sergooris@sckcen.be

+32 (0)14 33 83 09

Company

Belgian digital

We explore. Driven by our passion for science. Boosted by our unique infrastructure. We sound out the frontiers. We expand our knowledge in various nuclear areas. However many horizons we may explore, we always pursue the same objective: developing innovative applications for society.

Why work for us
At SCK CEN, we are on the forefront. By developing new knowledge and innovative applications, we move the line of what nuclear science can do for society. Each day, we are driven by a relentless ambition to build our expertise and achieve our goals. We are immersed in a world of unique technology, open discussion and discovery, together with other capable and curious minds.

SCK CEN works actively on the design and construction of a new multi-purpose research plant: MYRRHA (www.myrrha.be), which stands for Multi-purpose HYbrid Research Reactor for High-tech Applications. MYRRHA is a versatile research infrastructure but above all, unique. It is the world’s first research reactor driven by a particle accelerator. The special feature of this unique configuration – Accelerator Driven System (ADS) – is the “subcritical” core of the reactor. The core does not have enough fissile material to spontaneously keep the chain reaction going.

So that’s why we have to build the most reliable super conducting high-power proton linac in the world. A linac can be designed with fewer interruptions in the beam’s proton flow than a cyclotron. While the accelerator will be almost 300 m long and reach 600 MeV proton beam energy in the final configuration, the first stage is limited to 100 MeV. This project part is called MINERVA and is in full development. It will allow the demonstration of the required reliability concepts and at the same time it will be used to deliver beam to users in two experimental irradiation facilities.

The aim is to be able to beam-commission the installation in 2027 so as to start with the development of innovative medical radioisotopes and perform fundamental research in physics. In the next phase, we will aim for an energy level of 600 MeV. In the third phase, the research reactor will be built. So we have a lot of work to do.

What we are looking for

Are you searching for a challenge that contributes to solving some of society’s most important issues, such as closing the nuclear fuel cycle, transforming the lives of cancer patients or conducting fundamental physics research? Don’t look any further and apply.


Location
Mol, Brussels, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Number of employees
850

Main areas of research
Nuclear, physics

Positions recently recruited for
We have recruited to a variety of positions in the accelerator field: vacuum engineers, power converter engineers, beam diagnostics engineers. We are now looking to recruit LLRF engineers, beam diagnostic engineers, supply chain manager and electrical engineers

How to apply
Apply online at www.sckcen.be/en/careers/vacancies

Closing date
All year round

Contact
E-mail tomas.sergooris@sckcen.be
www.sckcen.be

Company info
Website
Telephone
+32 (0)14 33 83 09
Location
Boeretang 200
B-2400
Belgium

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